{"id":47969,"date":"2026-05-31T01:06:28","date_gmt":"2026-05-31T05:06:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/05\/31\/rangers-begin-approach-to-beat-derby-county-and-blackburn-with-6ft-4-defender\/"},"modified":"2026-05-31T01:06:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-31T05:06:28","slug":"rangers-begin-approach-to-beat-derby-county-and-blackburn-with-6ft-4-defender","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/05\/31\/rangers-begin-approach-to-beat-derby-county-and-blackburn-with-6ft-4-defender\/","title":{"rendered":"Rangers begin approach to beat Derby County and Blackburn with 6ft 4 defender"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/05\/31\/rangers-begin-approach-to-beat-derby-county-and-blackburn-with-6ft-4-defender\/#Rangers_compete_to_sign_in-demand_star\" >Rangers compete to sign in-demand star<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/05\/31\/rangers-begin-approach-to-beat-derby-county-and-blackburn-with-6ft-4-defender\/#Why_the_Rangers_are_pushing_to_sign_Weidell\" >Why the Rangers are pushing to sign Weidell<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/05\/31\/rangers-begin-approach-to-beat-derby-county-and-blackburn-with-6ft-4-defender\/#Better_than_Dan_Neil_future_60m_star_now_hopes_to_join_role_at_Rangers\" >Better than Dan Neil: future \u00a360m star now hopes to join role at Rangers<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>After signing Lawrence Shankland, Rangers are currently battling to bring in the impressive defender who could make a dream move from his current club this summer.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"rangers-racing-to-sign-in-demand-star\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rangers_compete_to_sign_in-demand_star\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>Rangers compete to sign in-demand star<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>This summer will be crucial if Gers are to close the gap on Hearts and champions Celtic next season. The 49ers have already fielded Danny Rohr along with Shankland, weakening Hurts by taking away his captain in the process, but they still have plenty of other names in their sights.<\/p>\n<p>Current targets reportedly include Wrexham&#8217;s Josh Windass and Elliott Watt, and the 49ers would like to welcome depth in all areas.<\/p>\n<p>But before they arrive, the focus could be on defensive reinforcements. According to Swedish newspaper Expressen, Rangers have started an approach to sign Kasper Widdell from Eredivisie side Excelsior.<\/p>\n<p>The 6ft 4in defender is reportedly dreaming of a big move this summer, with Gers having made early contact, while Blackburn Rovers and Derby County are set to begin their pursuit of rivals.<\/p>\n<p>Weidel would be spoiled for choice, especially if any of the trio expresses interest in an offer before the season starts. Now, all signs point to the 23-year-old possibly being on the verge of realizing his dream.<\/p>\n<section class=\"emaki-custom-block emaki-custom-note\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<div class=\"emaki-custom note\" id=\"custom_block_9\">\n<div class=\"custom_block-content note\">\n<p><strong>Rangers fans, should the 49ers sign Casper Weidell?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>It&#8217;s also an interesting choice he has to make. The defender could opt for Rangers, giving them the chance to take the Scottish Premiership by storm and possibly win the league as a result.<\/p>\n<p>Alternatively, they could opt for the Championship against a team that could manage to survive in play-off contenders Derby and Blackburn. Looks like the ball is in his court.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"why-rangers-should-push-to-sign-widell\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_the_Rangers_are_pushing_to_sign_Weidell\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>Why the Rangers are pushing to sign Weidell<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It&#8217;s no big surprise that the Rangers are interested in Weidell. After all, there is still concern that teams could reignite their interest in Emmanuel Fernandez.<\/p>\n<p>The centre-back was likely to have a failed transfer under Russell Martin, but has gone on to play a key role in Rohr&#8217;s side and has attracted the attention of teams such as Arsenal as a result.<\/p>\n<p>Losing Fernandes at this stage would be a big blow, but signing Widell would more than make up for it. And in their ideal world, Rangers might even have a chance to form a great centre-back partnership if their current star stays.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-container\">\n<table border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"1\" cellspacing=\"1\" style=\"\" align=\"\" summary=\"\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"col\">\n<p>League statistics 25\/26<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\">\n<p>Fernandes<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\">\n<p>Weidel<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>minutes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>2,267<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>3,054<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>tackle<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>44<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>33<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>Successful duel<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>66.8%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>60.6%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>collect<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>120<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>99<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>This duo will definitely form an impressive partnership. However, it remains to be seen whether the Rangers can move forward and secure Weidell&#8217;s signature. The presence of Derby and Blackburn could completely ruin their plans.<\/p>\n<p><em>Read next: Future \u00a360m star keen to join Rangers role<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"display-card  article article-card small  no-badge  active-content                              \" data-include-community-rating=\"false\" id=\"better-than-neil-shea-charles-now-keen-to-join-rohl-at-rangers\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<p>                        <\/p>\n<p>                    <span data-field=\"label\" class=\"article-card-label\"><label>related<\/label><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-content regular article-block\">\n<h5 class=\"display-card-title \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Better_than_Dan_Neil_future_60m_star_now_hopes_to_join_role_at_Rangers\"><\/span>\n<p>\t\t\tBetter than Dan Neil: future \u00a360m star now hopes to join role at Rangers<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"display-card-excerpt\">A move for Dan Neil could be on the cards, but Rangers could also be eyeing bigger midfield talent.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After signing Lawrence Shankland, Rangers are currently battling to bring in the impressive defender who could make a dream move from his current club this summer. Rangers compete to sign in-demand star This summer will be crucial if Gers are to close the gap on Hearts and champions Celtic next season. The 49ers have already [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":45225,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[9286,363,2614,7358,4233,381,1317,40,1026],"class_list":["post-47969","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-football","tag-6ft","tag-approach","tag-beat","tag-blackburn","tag-county","tag-defender","tag-derby","tag-football","tag-rangers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47969","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47969"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47969\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/45225"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47969"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47969"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47969"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}